Fiach MacConghail (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the Minister of State. I have always been impressed with her engagement with us whenever we have brought a motion. I like the Seanad and participating in its debates. Senator Zappone spoke on radio this morning and outlined ways that the Seanad could and should improve its business. The Independent Senators put considerable time into preparing our motions. The Taoiseach has bestowed responsibility upon us and it is part of our democratic duty to bring issues to the floor of the Seanad for discussion. This allows us to tease out with the Minister present the intricacies and nuances, but also to share stories. To my shame I was not aware of the work of all these charities, including the Jack and Jill Children's Foundation and the Irish Hospice Foundation. It allows me to gain more knowledge as a citizen but also as a parliamentarian and legislator to try to improve my own understanding and how I might contribute better to the work in the Seanad.

We have heard very moving stories about the family in Roscommon and Senator Mary Ann O'Brien's passionate contribution in moving the motion. I fully agree with Senator Hayden's enlightened overview. That is what is great about the Seanad - that this debate can go to and fro and with regard to the perspective one might have. I have nothing but admiration for Senator Hayden, who is very active in the area of homelessness, which is of particular interest to me. There is nothing she said with which I would disagree.

While this is not a criticism of the Minister of State, there is a pattern of a mildly aggressive approach in the Government amendments to Private Members' motions. Senator Colm Burke in his polite and erudite way hinted at that. We find there is no effort to address the issues highlighted in Private Members' motions. We all have very busy lives - some of us work outside the Seanad. We spend considerable time on wording motions, researching issues and briefing fellow Senators. This is not the first time we have been faced with a lazy and inaccurate Government amendment. Part of the wording of this evening's Government amendment is not true. Regardless of whether we accept the spirit of the amendment, we cannot vote for something that is fundamentally untrue. More effort should be put in and more consideration should be given by Government Senators when dealing with issues we and other parties and groups raise.

While I do not want to be bombastic or aggressive, there are ways to be innovative on the issue. There is no real disagreement on the facts, although there may be on some of the figures. One of my former lecturers, Senator Barrett, could very quickly on the back of an envelope look at the financial comparators. Could we have a sub-committee? Should we move it to the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Health and Children where we could have a very limited discussion on the various contradictions on figures or is there a different way? I would loath having to bring this to a vote, but we might have to. We feel we are introducing a very good idea. If the Minister of State agrees, we would be willing to withdraw our motion. Having listened to the contributions from Senators Hayden, Colm Burke and Barrett, we would withdraw it as a recommendation if the Government withdraws its amendment, otherwise we would need to take it to a vote. We should continue to pursue the issue and my fellow Senators know our form in pressing votes. We have a good track record in that regard but would not like to do so in this instance. More effort on the Government's part in engaging with Private Members' motions in terms of language, respect and a more nuanced approach would be helpful. That is why we spend our time in tabling motions. We do not do this to annoy the Minister of State. We feel it gives rise to greater citizen awareness and improves the work we do in this House.